Decent conversations about music

Because of her, I learned to defend my musical tastes at a very young age (7.)

“I hate that garbage.”

“I don’t like his music. OR him.”

“Why do you listen to that?”

“How can you stand that music?”

Conversations about music are interactions I generally try to avoid, for a number of reasons. The number one reason is lack of substance or reasoning coming from the other person; I don’t have a strong tolerance for a defiant answer – especially when the individual is disagreeing with me but can’t provide a good reason besides, “I don’t know, I just don’t like it/him/them.” I like to have conversation, I like to discuss – especially when it comes to individual artists like Kanye West, Lady Gaga, or someone equally polarizing. Another reason I tend to shy away from good conversation about music is the strong opinions many develop of an artist based on personal information or rumors spread all over the internet/tabloids.

Let’s just talk about the music.

It doesn’t matter if I disagree with you (for instance, still not feeling Mumford & Sons but I will happily explain that to anyone who cares to know why) or you disagree with me – let’s just chat about it. Music is interesting, ever-changing, many times life-altering, and needs to be talked about – a lot. It’s good stuff.

I remember Jimmy Iovine’s first season as a mentor on American Idol – I knew he was a powerful influence in music, I knew his discography included the likes of Bruce Springsteen and Eminem and everything in between. Most importantly, I understood the role of a music producer – a good one, at that. I’ll never forget my friend, whose favorite contestant wasn’t the best talent in Jimmy’s eyes, expressing her anger the day following an episode of AI during which Jimmy blasted the contestant bluntly and brutally. “What does a guy wearing a blue hat and red windbreaker know about music anyway – who is that loser?” I didn’t have the heart to tell her – she was currently enrolled in a graduate program at an elite university in her field, and I didn’t want to come off as a know-it-all. And, she was a huge Springsteen fan.

I’ve been frustrated over that ever since – and every time I see/hear of/read about Jimmy Iovine’s latest accomplishments in music, I see her face and squirm a little.

I don’t even expect well thought-out reasons as to why someone doesn’t like my Michael Bolton, and sometimes I can’t even fully explain myself when it comes to detesting Taylor Swift. Either way, something as simple as “a lot of his music is unoriginal” or “his hair always bothered me” totally works conversation wise. I can work with that. For me, Taylor’s voice reaches an octave that pierces my eardrums – or, she sings about the same things all of the time (though one can’t deny the catchiness of her music (you know you have Twenty-TwOOOoooo stuck in your head right now – and you know the words.) Just give me a reason, any reason, besides hating the artist, hating the music, or asking me why or how I can possibly like an artist or specific song just because you can’t. Sometimes, people have personal reasons that run a little deeper than simply liking the beat or the lyrics – and sometimes, it really is that simple (for instance, I can’t help but smile when Pitbull is on the radio. I mean, I shout out “DOLLY!” every single time he does.)

With this week’s release of Kanye West’s Yeezus, the only person with whom I’ve been able to have a decent conversation about the album is my dear husband and a couple of my co-workers. My husband and I disagree all the time when having conversations about music (he is not a fan of DMB lyrics, I am not a fan of the repetitive sampling courtesy of the RZA.) We do agree on one thing, however – Yeezus sets the standard for future – and I’m talking future future – hip hop sound. It’s hard to digest, and it’s not my favorite West album yet, but Yeezus, does it hold my attention. All of Kanye’s music does. Yet, I still hear, “how can you stand him?” followed up by, well, nothing else but, “I hate him as a person.”

Truth be told, I’d likely run away rather than approach Mr. West if given the opportunity – he intimidates me. I likely wouldn’t be able to stand him as a person. But his music? That I can stand. And I’m not sure if he’s the Steve Jobs of hip-hop, but I know he’s filled the last 10+ years of my life with great memories that are attached to his music. So, let’s have an actual conversation about it.

You see, this is what listening to Madonna’s “Like a Virgin” at the tender age of 7 did to me.

Stephanie Snyder

2 Responses

I give everyone a shot, and these days will tend to be more song specific than artist specific when it comes to talking about favorites….where when I was a teenager it was aaallll about Duran Duran, now it is “I like The Cave by Mumford and Sons”….. but am not well versed on full albums or artist’s entire repertoire.

I can usually find some song that I think is “danceable with a good strong beat” from most everyone….even Kanye and Golddigger. 🙂